PCB suspends Umar Akmal from all cricketing activities

The Pakistan Cricket Board has suspended Umar Akmal with immediate effect under Article 4.7.1 of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code rendering him unable to participate in any cricketing activity including the PSL 5 scheduled to begin today.

Until the PCB's Anti-corruption unit concludes its investigation, the middle order batsman will not take part in any cricket-related activity.

PCB announced that it will not make any further comments regarding the matter until its resolution.

Quetta Gladiators, the team Umar Akmal was supposed to suit up for, have been granted permission to seek his replacement in the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020.

The defending champions will take on two-time winners Islamabad United in the opening match, which will commence today at 9 pm (PST).

Article 4.7.1 read as:

Where either (a) the PCB decides to charge a Participant with an offence under this Anti-Corruption Code; or (b) the PCB considers that there are other exceptional circumstances relevant to a Participant (for example, where any relevant police authority has arrested and/or charged a Participant with an offence under any relevant criminal law in respect of facts or circumstances that may also constitute an offence under this Anti-Corruption Code), it, shall have the discretion, in circumstances where it considers that the integrity of the sport could otherwise be seriously undermined, to Provisionally Suspend the Participant pending the Anti-Corruption Tribunal?s determination of whether he/she has committed an offence. Any decision to Provisionally Suspend the Participant will be communicated to the Participant in writing, with a copy sent at the same time to the ICC and, where applicable, the National Cricket Federation to which the Participant is affiliated.